Owner cleared to expand detached garage and adjust setback at Concord Road property

On Sept. 24 the License and Variance Board approved two variances for a corner property at 280 Concord Road that together allow a reduced street-side setback and a larger accessory structure (detached garage). Caitlin Crowe, Land Services development coordinator for Community Development, said the owner, Harold Singer, proposes to extend the portion of the house closest to Haidu Drive and to relocate and enlarge the detached garage so more vehicles can be parked under cover.

Crowe said the property is a corner lot where the house and garage already contain nonconforming encroachments; aerial images confirm the nonconforming section existed at least as far back as 1952. Staff recommended approval for both V25‑088 (reduce street-side setback from 26.7 feet to 20.1 feet) and V25‑089 (increase accessory structure size from 25% to 48.2% of the primary dwelling) with the standard condition tying approval to compliance with the submitted site plan and elevations.

A neighbor, Charles Tooker, testified that past events at the property generated heavy on‑street parking that impeded traffic and posed safety concerns at the Concord Road / Highview area. Another speaker, Nigel Ingleton, said the crowding Tooker described was related to a wedding at the property and that building control told him no permit was required; he stated the event ended after police visits. "I had all my family in from England. We had a great time. We didn't cause any problems for anybody," Ingleton said. The board approved both variances unanimously after the public comments.

Background and staff findings: Crowe noted that the proposed garage would be screened from the public right of way by an existing fence and foliage, reducing visual impact. The applicant said he stores a vehicle collection and wants a covered area. The board’s approval was conditioned on substantial compliance with the submitted plans.